Step 1.  Getting Prepared

• Contact your mortgage lender for PREAPPROVAL. 
• Know what you can afford.
• Explain to Realtor your needs.

Step 2.  Previewing Homes

•  Take pad of paper, ink pen and camera.
•  Note all the likes and dislikes.
•  Ask yourself, how does this home make me feel?  Do you feel enclosed, comfortable or overwhelmed with too much space?
• Note how much updating you may need to do.  What are the approximate costs?

Number 1 question, do people really purchase the first home they look at?

      Yes, many people purchase the first home they look at.

Step 3.  We Found a Home!
Once you have selected a home, have agent do a Market Analysis of the area to help you determine offer price. (Compare apples to apples)

Items that will affect your offer:
      1.  Property Condition
      2.  Property Improvements
      3.  Market Conditions
      4.  Seller Motivation

Step 4.  Make Your Offer

Your agent will assist you with the offer.
      Discuss home inspections, home warranties and well test....

Step 5.  What to Expect from Owner Seller

• Agent will present offer to seller's agent or seller.
• You will know the result, accepted, counter-offer or rejection immediately.
• Fast negotiations.
• Inspections
• Get Home Owners Insurance
• Close

            What to Expect from Bank Owned Seller

• Agent will submit offer to seller's agent or bank.
• Bank can take offer and others.  Don't plan on a response for 2-4 weeks.  If you get one sooner you are blessed.  Yes, they can still receive offers while you are waiting.
• Bank will provide their own "Addendum" specifying the terms.
• Inspections
• Get Home Owners Insurance
• Close
• Bank will charge you a daily fee if transaction is not closed on date specified in the purchase agreement.
•         Timely, purchasers are usually upset about the length of time it takes the Bank to respond.

            What to Expect from HUD

• Sign Contract
• Earnest Money is not negotiable. 
• $500 for homes below $50,000
• $1000 for homes $50,000 and above
• Must be in form of a cashiers check made out to Real Estate Brokerage
• Agent submits offer on-line
• M-F expect a 24 hour response
• Have all inspections done with in 15 days of accepted offer.
• Get Home Owners Insurance
• You must close with in 45 days.
• Easy, fast and most of all, very affordable.

The Last Step:  Closing, the Home Becomes Yours.

• Your lender or real estate agent will contact you with the final $'s you must bring to close.
• Bring your Driver's License
• Your lender or title company may request a last minute item, be prepared.
• The closing documents may be signed on one day, reviewed then finished the next.
• In most cases you will only be required to be at the title company one day.